Prepare to Win: Decoding Wooden  Friendship

Sunday

Sep 8, 2013 at 8:03 PMSep 8, 2013 at 8:04 PM

By GEORGE MANGUM, FOR THE DAILY PRESS

Well, we're in the first weeks of the 2013 season. Are you winning?

I know that winning has different meanings to different people, so I'll narrow the topic. Do you have more wins than losses and are you already on the way to a championship? If that's you, then keep reading because that's what this article is all about.

Why do I say that? Well, because for the next several months, we will be decoding the late John Wooden, who was an expert at building championship players and teams at UCLA as well as building championship humans. He did this by developing friendships with his players, and expected them to do the same with each other. Former UCLA champion Kareem Abdul-Jabbar said it this way: "My relationship with him has been one of the most significant in my life. ... He taught us that the best you are capable of is victory enough."

This was reiterated by another former UCLA champion, Swen Nater. Nater said, "Publicly, he was and is still known as a kind, grandfatherly man. But behind the closed doors of Pauley Pavilion, our home court, he was a strict teacher of the first order."

The second block of Wooden's Pyramid of Success is Friendship. Friendship, according to Wooden, "Comes from mutual esteem, respect, and devotion. A sincere liking for all." In essence, Wooden preached and exemplified to his team that, in order to win championships as a team, players had to do two things: devote and develop. They must devote themselves to championship performance and develop a respectful relationship with teammates, which usually led to a genuine liking for each other.

Nater explains that this was one of Wooden's biggest challenges every year, as he had players from all levels and backgrounds whom he needed to prepare to win, in hoops and in life. Nater goes on to share that Wooden befriended his players and took special interest in them to provide an example for his players to do the same thing. Throughout Wooden's tenure, UCLA always maintained cohesion and titles came their way regularly and dynastically. As expected, though Bruin players weren't always best of friends during their times together, they maintained friendships for a lifetime, which was just as important to Wooden as trophies.

A perfect non-UCLA example of this is the legendary combination of Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal, who won three consecutive championships with the Los Angeles Lakers. The concept of chemistry is misunderstood by most, as they think that teammates must all have perfect relationships before championships will come. The fact is that there is no chemistry without cohesion, which is when teammates stick together tightly. This was the case with the two Lakers legends. There was no love between them, but they had those traits Wooden drilled into his players, devotion and development. They were both devoted to winning championships and developed their friendship, which was respecting each other as being an integral part of the overall championship effort. They remained cohesive for the sake of championships. Now out of respect for each other's efforts as teammates, they have established a personal friendship. Good for them.

What Do Winners Do (WDWD)? Winners are devoted to championship performance and to developing winning friendships with their teammates. They realize that winning friendships means that they respect their teammates as integral parts of the team. They understand that everyone is an integral part of the championship effort. Winners understand that devoting themselves and developing relationships are two things which will keep them and the team cohesive through thick and thin. And remaining cohesive leads to the performance chemistry teams need for championship results.

Final thought: Go to a mirror and look honestly at yourself. Ask yourself these questions: Have I devoted myself to winning performance and have I developed winning friendships with my teammates? Two yeses mean you're on the way. A no? Then, you just may be the reason your team is headed for disaster. Got it? Good.

George Mangum, M.A., is a WIN psychologist and the founder of Bigger Faster Stronger-High Desert, where athletes at all levels are prepared to win physically, emotionally and mentally. George can be contacted at 760-403-3449 or on Facebook at Bigger Faster Stronger-High Desert. You can also follow him at twitter.com/thewincoach.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.